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Synonyms

grimy

American  
[grahy-mee] / ˈgraɪ mi /

adjective

grimier, grimiest
  1. covered with grime; dirty.

    I shook his grimy hand.


Other Word Forms

  • grimily adverb
  • griminess noun

Etymology

Origin of grimy

First recorded in 1605–15; grime + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Samantha’s father hires Nana away from her grimy pub-cleaning job to answer the phone at his taxi service: a good-hearted gesture or a bribe to keep her and Janey quiet?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

So, too, is the film’s music, composer Anthony Willis and soundtrack artist Charlie XCX entwining raspy strings with grimy, ominous shudders.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

“They’re a grimy group—and I say that with great respect.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

She took a picture of the grimy hotel room where she stayed, capturing the swirling cursive on the sign for the dialysis center across the street in the background.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2025

It took her a while to find the Hidden Market, but once she arrived on that grimy canalway, she had spied two men—one massive, one short—hawking orbs on a rickety table.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat